Doris Said:

I have been assigned Physical Therapy exercises for a knee injury, can someone help me understand them?

We Answered:

Hello

As for weight bearing I would just do what you are comfortable with. If it hurts do not do it. I had knee surgery on Tues and told I could put weight on my knee that day. I am still using my crutches because I do not feel safe and it hurts to put full weight on it.

I have done 4 months of physical therapy and I will tell you that my therapist had me and other patients do exercises without the brace. She told me that the brace does not allow your muscles to work properly and your leg begins to rely on it.

The most simple knee exercise that I did and the one she started me with were tightening of the quad muscle on the injured leg and holding it for 10 seconds. Also laying flat on a surface and pulling the heel of your foot towards your bottom and pulling it as far as you can with little to no pain. Your pain should not be more than a 3 or 4 when doing exercises.

If you want to see some examples of physical therapy exercises go to www.youtube.com and search "knee physical therapy". A lot of videos should come up with simple exercises to follow.

Good luck I hope your knee feels better soon!

Leo Said:

Physical therapy knee exercises?

We Answered:

Here are some: Isometrics, take a hand towel and fold it length wise. Roll that up and place it under your knee while in a long legged sitting position. Push the muscle on top of the thigh ( quadriceps ) down. Hold this for a count of five and release. Make sure that you don't hold your breath doing any exercise. Straight Leg Raising, again in a long sitting position but with the opposite knee bent to 90 degrees with the foot flat on the floor. Do an isometric and hold while lifting the leg using your hip. Raise the heel up until the calf comes off the ground. Body Raise, place a phone book on the floor and with your involved leg next to it ( the foot running parallel to the book). Place the foot on the book and then lift the opposite foot off the floor by straightening the involved knee. The next one will require you to have a 6 inch bolster or cylinder of some type that will be able to support you legs weight plus some ankle weights. Place the cylinder under your involved knee, it should be padded so the underside of the knee doesn't get irritated, and the knee has about a 30 degree angle to it. You do not want more than this angle for the knee. Place a light ankle weight on and straighten out the knee. Do this in sets of 10 for a total of 3 times. To make this movement more intense place your index finger on the part of the muscle just inside of the knee cap and a little up from there. When you lift your ankle that part of the muscle should get bigger or you should feel it working under your finger. Wall Slides, stand against a wall with your feet about 6 to 8 inches away from the wall. Slowly lower yourself down until the knees are bent to 30 degrees. Stop at that point and return to the starting position. Do this 10 times. That should be enough to get you going. Remember that this condition should be treated with ice after exercising for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also buy a neoprene sleeve with a patella cut out at most good pharmacies. This should also help to stabilize the knee. You don't mention your weight but try to keep it around your ideal body weight. Extra weight means more work and stress on the joint.

Edward Said:

knee exercises (therapy)?

We Answered:

go on-line to web md and type in knee exercise.That should take care of it.>>>>

Maureen Said:

I dislocated my kneecap 2.5 weeks ago& i need physical therapy exercises i can do without bending my knee?

We Answered:

First, you should be evaluated/treated/followed-up by an orthopedic physician who can guide your treatment. Were you on cruthces or in an immobilizer? Are you in a brace now? Why can't you bend your knee? Key would be to go to physical therapy so they know when to progress you and what to have you do and don't do.

You need to focus on VMO (the inner portion of the thigh) strengthening so you can regain a good pull on the kneecap, stabilize it, and keep it tracking properly. Exercises for this can include quad sets, straight leg raises, terminal knee extensions, and then step ups and minisquats when you have some flexion.

If you need to get the range of motion back in your knee, try heel slides, active assisted motion, wall slides with your feet, etc.

Ice to reduce swelling which can also help with pain.

A physical therapist could also tape your patella in place so it tracks proplery.

Once get enough knee flexion, bicycle riding is good. I do it in physical therapy. It's not too rough on the knees and strengthens.

Make sure you also stretch esp. the lateral part of your quadriceps to keep it from pulling on your kneecap.

http://www.rcmclinic.com/protocols/lind/…

Here's a link about rehab for patella femoral dysfunction which can range from patella pain to dislocations.

Also, you should find out why it dislocated. Was it a twisting motion, direct hit, or other? Sometimes it's due to wide hips, flat feet, misaligned knees, shallow grooves, tight lateral tissues, lax medial tissues etc. Some of these things may need to be addressed.

To return to sport, you need full motion, little to no swelling and pain, and at least 85% strength in the bad leg as the good.

Good Luck :]